Online Business Reviews: Yelp, Facebook or Google?

Online Business Reviews – Tips for Yelp, Facebook & Google

Local businesses can no longer be successful in new, niche markets without creating a strong online social media presence. In the age of social interconnectivity, more and more people make buying based decisions by using online reviews.

For users, going to a new restaurant, hair salon, or car dealership, etc., can be a risk, and it helps to gauge what other consumer experiences were like before you go in and plan to spend money.

For business owners who haven’t become a well-known name in their locale, creating online business pages across a variety of social platforms can help build brand awareness and drive visitors both to your native website and your business itself.

Creating awareness, giving a good customer experience, and responding to customer input across online business review sites can help drive more revenue for your business and create customer loyalty in the longterm. The three biggest players in the online business review space are Yelp, Facebook, and Google reviews, and users frequent these sites before making buying decisions.

For any small business owner, you must reap the benefits that online business reviews offer, and make sure your business isn’t suffering from a poor rating or review. Following is an overview of Yelp, Facebook and Google business reviews, along with tips for optimizing each platform.

Yelp

What is Yelp?

Yelp is an online business review site, which allows users to write reviews of different local businesses. Yelp rates businesses based on the quality of reviews it receives, and not quantity. If you are wondering what your business Yelp page looks like, simply research it, claim the business page as a business owner, and begin setting up your Yelp business page account.

Yelp currently has 60 million registered users and contains about 20 million active posts on its website. Yelp is not exclusive toward restaurants either; a number of other retail and business markets are reviewed under Yelp.

According to a survey by the Boston Consulting Group, businesses that actively monitored and used their Yelp accounts saw an average annual increase of $8000 in revenue. Unfortunately, about 77% of small businesses don’t use social sites like Yelp, and 22% of businesses who have Yelp business pages have never even viewed them. The numbers speak for themselves; not only does utilizing Yelp help increase your business’s total revenue, it also provides an opportunity to separate your business from competitors by reacting and responding to Yelp reviews.

Creating a Yelp Business Page

Once you claim your Yelp business page, you must set up a detailed profile that utilizes alluring descriptions and photographs that will attract new users to your business. The main thing is to provide a complete description–this means providing contact information, a complete address, products or services provided, and filling in the about section. Insert a link to your native website and this will provide you with an excellent opportunity to link build your website.

One of the best features of Yelp is the photo gallery. Providing professional grade photos of your products and your staff will lure customers to your business more so than your descriptions. Be sure to provide photos of the front of your building so people know what it looks like when they drive there.

How Can I Improve my Online Yelp Reviews?

Businesses with 4 or 5 star ratings are more likely to get more customers in their business during peak hours. Unfortunately, online business reviews can be very honest and personal, so businesses that provide poor customer experiences are going to suffer from bad reviews.

Yelp provides the perfect opportunity to respond to consumer complaints in-house and change what is bothering customers. Even responding to negative reviews on Yelp posts can show users your dedication to customer satisfaction and responding to positive reviews can show this to. Just commenting “thanks for the kind words or we sincerely appreciate it” on a positive review will show customers how dedicated you are as a business owner. To see how your business in doing overtime, Yelp provides metrics for visitors to your Yelp page and an overall summary of your Yelp ratings over time.

Yelp provides many opportunities to improve your business profile, such as creating an enhanced photo slideshow, videos on your profile, and even Yelp ad opportunities. By following other SEO practices, such as inserting keyword specific terms into your descriptions or observing competitive Yelp pages, you can help craft a genuine and attractive Yelp page that will drive more consumers to your business.

P.S.

Don’t ever tell a customer to give your business a good Yelp review. The Yelp community does not like this and any sign of coercion will be punished by users.

Facebook Business Reviews

According to a Vocus study, 68% of consumers go to a social networking site to read product reviews. It only makes sense that the number one social media site, in terms of users, would be one of the industry leaders in online business reviews.

Facebook utilizes a star ratings system that allows users to rate and post a review to a Facebook business page. This can be set up in the admin settings and a dialogue option will occur allowing you to check the “Show map, check-ins and star ratings on the Page” box to enable star ratings.

The Benefits of Facebook Business Reviews

Facebook has its own algorithm which helps determine how business reviews will show up in news feeds. This is called Facebook EdgeRank and recent brand reviews with lots of likes, shares, and a strong affinity to specific users will allow it to potentially rank high in a user’s news feed.

This means that friends, family, and new customers will be exposed to your business and brand. Facebook can be the gift that keeps on giving in a strong SEO campaign. A good review with lots of user interaction has the chance to be shared across multiple other social networking sites. Of course, good reviews will also help your business page rank higher in a Google SERP ranking and is tied to your Google reviews.

Improving my Facebook Business Reviews

Setting up a detailed Facebook business page with strong descriptions, a good photo gallery, and constant user interaction will help attract new users to your business page and show your commitment to consumer satisfaction. Now, responding to Facebook reviews will further emphasize this notion and strengthen your brand’s integrity.

Unfortunately, reviewers can choose to leave their reviews private or only to be shared by friends and that can create confusion for businesses. The best step is to continue with your overall social media campaign and contact the reviewer privately with sensitivity and brand integrity. If your business is struggling with bad business reviews, fake reviews, etc. the ratings system can be switched off, though it might affect your brand integrity.

Google Business Reviews

Google business reviews are a relatively recent innovation and provide untold benefits because of its direct link to the search engine platform. In the world of SEO, ratings and reviews help improve search rankings and provide numerous other benefits, such as increased user traffic, brand awareness, and social media presence.

Anytime someone types your business into a search they will be immediately exposed to your Google reviews and any user can submit one instantly from a Google + account. Google ranks websites based on the quality and quantity of reviews, the velocity in which Google reviews are written, and also through 3rd part review sites. We will focus on the quantity and quality of business reviews to improve your Google online reviews.

Quantity

Unlike Yelp, quantity factors a lot in improving search rankings through online reviews, so it’s good practice to encourage customers to write reviews for your company through Google. Find your most enthusiastic and loyal customers and ask them to provide reviews, as these will most likely be positive. There are a number of other ways to do this, such as asking your Google + followers to write reviews, advertising this on the door of your local business, or creating email and post card campaigns that encourage customers to tell your business what they think. It’s helpful to do this continually as Google does have a time decay factor, just like Facebook, that affects your overall business rankings.

Quality

It’s unethical to coerce or ask your customers to write positive reviews, so it’s up to your business to create genuinely great consumer experiences that will encourage customers to write positive reviews. Just like with Yelp and Facebook, engaging posts and reviews will also show your dedication to customer satisfaction and brand integrity. Google actually has the best algorithm in picking up fake reviews, so reviews by family members and friends or at your business’s Wi-Fi will be recognized.

So which one? They all offer unique review perspectives, so it’s good to have all set up for your business. And be sure to provide links to your Yelp, Facebook, and Google review pages on your native website. This will show users your dedication to consumer feedback and also your social media presence/activity.

Brian Reese– Paid Media Associate

Brian has a business degree in Marketing & Management from Penn State University. His digital marketing career began with an internship at LSEO in his senior year, where he learned the ropes of SEO and Paid Media. After graduation, Brian was brought onto the LSEO team to further the growth of the Paid Media Department. Brian has a strong background in leadership and team growth from his over 5 years of head coaching a high school volleyball team.

Hector E. De Los Santos Maria – SEO Associate

Hector is originally from the Dominican Republic. He studied Graphic Design at a private university called APEC, before relocating to Pittsburgh to study Game Art & Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After his time in Pittsburgh, Hector moved to NEPA and graduated from Luzerne County Community College in 2011 with a degree in Commercial Art and a concentration in Painting and Illustration.

Hector has taught himself HTML and CSS through several online sources, and in the past few year has become interested in digital marketing, specifically e-commerce and SEO.

Hector is interested technology and has a background in network administration and computer repair. He is also proficient in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Pro Tools. In his spare time, Hector enjoys drawing and playing guitar.

Mark Dymond – Head of PPC

Mark Dymond has a degree in Business Marketing / Management from Pennsylvania State University and graduated top in his class. Originally a part of the internship program, Mark was brought on board to expand the Paid Media department. He’s extremely active in finding the best information and tactics on PPC campaigns and has extensive experience with online marketing channels like Facebook, Google, Bing, etc. Throughout his career, Mark has done digital marketing work for several entities, such as The Pennsylvania State University.

Pat Mineo – Head of Design & Development

Pat is LSEO’s Head of Web Design. After graduating from Marywood University in 2015 with a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Pat begin working with LSEO to integrate design into the digital marketing space by creating effective user experiences that drive results for businesses of all sizes.

Passionate about the latest design trends, Pat has worked with businesses from all over the country, in both digital and print mediums. How users and customers interact with a brand and their products is truly what drives Pat's enthusiasm for creativity.

Outside of LSEO, Pat works closely with a number of area non-profits, elevating their fundraising efforts through effective branding and digital experiences. Pat has taken Silver in the 2015 American Advertising Awards in 2015, and when he's not creating, he's enjoying his family and friends, traveling, and following his favorite sports teams closely.

Kyle Kozie – Head of SEO

Kyle has obtained a Business degree with a focus in Marketing and Management from Penn State University. While interning during his time at Penn State, Kyle gained a passion for SEO and Digital Marketing and has been in the industry ever since. His primary focus has been on managing both large and small clients in the e-commerce space, which has given him the knowledge and experience to become an organic search expert. Kyle has a drive to develop strong client relationships and deliver top notch results. He does this by staying on top of industry trends and holding many digital marketing certifications. Kyle also comes with a strong technical SEO background that he can help clients deploy.

In his free time, Kyle enjoys working out with a focus on Powerlifting and Crossfit, where he competes locally and at the regional level. When he is not doing SEO or in the gym, he is doing his favorite thing in the world, playing with his Australian Shepherd, Blake.

Jade Matusick – Content Marketing Specialist

Jade graduated from Susquehanna University with a B.A. in Creative Writing. While in college, Jade was involved in several small press publications reviewing literature, art, and photography submissions. While she has a lifelong love of writing and reading fiction, she is always looking for opportunities to expand her writing skills and try different genres. Never without a book, Jade aspires to one day publish a novel of her own one day.

Jade is a self-proclaimed expert on the royal family and romantic comedies. She also checks her horoscope daily in hopes that it will give her some guidance.

Darcy Huff – SEO Account Strategist

Darcy joins the LSEO team as an SEO Account Strategist. With the original intent of pursuing a career in graphic design, she developed a passion for online marketing while taking on her first SEO role at Web.com in 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design & Media Art with a minor in Marketing from Wilkes University.

When she’s not at work, Darcy can be found at the cinema or theater, discovering NEPA’s restaurants and breweries, or taking a day trip to New York City. She also spends her time doing freelance design, birdwatching, and relaxing with her dog, Mandy.

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Jack Trapani – Paid Media Specialist

Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Media Management from Marywood University. His career in marketing began with internships at local publications and advertising agencies.

His previous roles include working at a private community as the Direct of Marketing and Media as well as various advertising agencies as a Pay-Per-Click Account Manager. He joins the LSEO team as a Paid Media Specialist.

In his free time, he volunteers with several non-profits which benefits various causes such as the local Boys and Girls Club. He also completes service projects throughout the year.

Teara Keller – Head of Web Development

Teara hails from the Maryland side of the D.C. Metro Area. So yes, she hold strong feelings about seafood and Old Bay Seasoning. She holds a BS in Web Development and Design from Southern New Hampshire University, and will begin working towards her MS in Digital Marketing this coming fall. She brings a unique approach to web development and ux design, having always been fascinated with the psychology that goes into how users interact with websites, while also keeping the technical side of SEO in mind as she works with clients to improve their websites to further optimize their web presence. She is also a member of three national collegiate honors societies, Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Mu Gamma, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

When she isn’t nerding out over UX trends and new JS libraries, she’s Co-Chair of the POC Committee for Queer NEPA, a speaker at their Pride Series in June, and devoted wife and mother. She loves finding new places to eat, traveling, and quiet weekends spent vegging at home on the couch watching documentaries on Netflix. She also has an extensive collection of Funko Pops and Meryl Streep movies that she is quite proud of.

John Meholic – SEO Manager & SEO Expert

John holds a degree in English Education and Philosophy from the College of Arts and Sciences at Misericordia University. Originally graduating with the dream of one day becoming a professor and writer, he fell deeply in love with the digital marketing world in 2014, working for companies such as Web.com, Net Driven, and Pepperjam.

With a diverse background in search engine optimization, paid search, affiliate marketing, as well as teaching, John has the knowledge, dedication, and discipline to craft and implement technical and creative marketing strategies for online businesses.
When John isn’t staying up-to-date on the latest SEO news and continuing to earn industry certifications, he likes to spend his time exploring various large cities across the US, going to shows, watching movies with friends and family, and drinking coffee. Although John dedicates a large portion of his time to developing his technical SEO skills, he can’t seem to shake his childhood obsession with becoming a living, breathing encyclopedia of underground and alternative music.

Brianna Redding – Content Marketing Specialist & Intern Coordinator

Brianna is a NEPA native who relocated to Philadelphia after studying Journalism at Luzerne County Community College. While living in Philly, she did freelance work for several online music publications, which gave her the opportunity to see some of her favorite bands perform live.

Brianna moved back to NEPA in 2017 and now holds a position at LSEO as a Content Marketing Specialist and Intern Coordinator. Brianna enjoys writing and feels that her love of reading has helped improve her writing over the years. Brianna is also passionate about the internship program at LSEO and loves meeting the talented students that walk through the doors each semester.

In her free time, Brianna can be found thrift shopping, taking photos of her friends on her film camera (her prized possession), and cooking delicious plant-based meals. She’s also a big sister to two dogs, Bernie and Buster, whom she loves dearly.

Jessica Spear – Head of Client Strategy

From complex math to managing budgets, Jessica is a project management expert with experience handling numerous brands at one time and an ability to deliver quality results. Whether she’s launching a website, setting up analytics or simply keeping things on track, Jessica takes pride in getting things done ahead of schedule, a quality that has helped her throughout her 10+ years in digital marketing. Jessica has leveraged her skills when helping found East Coast Paws, which now has over 5,000 members.

In her free time, Jessica likes to stay up-to-date on industry news, cooking, watching documentaries, and recently discovered a skill for refinishing furniture. Jessica was also on the swim team during her time at Drexel University, where she studied engineering.

Eric Adamczyk – SEO Specialist

Eric Adamczyk graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Marketing & Management from Penn State. During his four years at Penn State, Eric was a member of the school’s Blue & White Society, networking with alumni and participating in community events.

Before gaining full-time status at LSEO, Eric spent a semester interning with the company and worked with the SEO team to expand his knowledge of digital marketing. Eric likes to keep himself up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and further his knowledge of what’s changing in the industry.

In his free time, Eric is an avid sports fan who enjoys watching just about any game, including baseball, football, hockey and basketball. When he’s not watching his favorite teams play, he can be found on a golf course or coaching his youth travel basketball team.

Lindsey Matylewicz – PPC Specialist

Lindsey holds an MA in communication arts from Marywood University, focusing in media production and management. She’s current on the latest best practices and trends for pay-per-click advertising and has taken on a role at LSEO as a paid media associate. In her spare time she enjoys reading and writing short stories. She nerds out about comedy and participates in theater, improv, and sketch groups in the area. She also loves hiking, coffee, and her lovely pup, Gus.

Jeanne Laktash – Content Marketing Specialist

Jeanne Laktash is a professional wordsmith and well-known Type-A personality (or, as she’s known around the office, Content Marketing Specialist). Jeanne has enjoyed a passion for writing since she was a child, often saying she wanted to be a variety of things when she grew up, always coming back to writing. This led her to pursue the study of communications, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Communication Arts from Marywood University.

Jeanne has worked in marketing since 2008, eventually crossing into the digital marketing field in 2014. Throughout her career, she has worked for prominent NEPA organizations, including the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Keystone Automotive, and Net Driven, crafting dynamic, engaging content to drive leads. Jeanne stays up to date on the latest digital marketing and content trends by reading industry blogs and immersing herself in information.

When she’s not crafting content for LSEO’s many clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband Nick and daughter Kateri, listening to music, cooking interesting meals, sampling different craft beer, snuggling her German Shepherd Samson (who thinks he’s a lap dog) and rooting for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, for whom she has been a season ticket holder since 2007.

Jeff Miro – SEM Specialist

Jeff has a degree in communications from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA. After starting out at the The Times Leader as a sports writer, Jeff began his career in the online marketing industry in 2007, working for Pepperjam. He has experience in paid search marketing and content writing, but his specialty for the past 11 years has been in search engine optimization. He is enthusiastic about delivering tangible results, and increased conversions and traffic for clients.

Jeff likes to stay current on SEO trends and Internet marketing news, and in his spare time loves to work out and read about nutrition, fitness, and health-related topics. He also likes listening to music, going to shows, hanging out with friends, and watching Seinfeld and The Office.

James Neff – Head of Content

James has worked in the digital marketing industry for a few years now, publishing thousands of articles along the way. Being a well rounded writer provides an excellent advantage to the content marketing field. James is a lifetime member of the forensics fraternity Pi Kappa Delta and has been an active freelance writer for SEM firms and news organization since college. James graduated with a Communications BA from Keystone College, specializing in Journalism.

Unlike most content marketers, James can assist in everything from a technical audit to keyword research. James loves his work and he has a passion for writing and reading. On his off-days, James enjoys watching sports and going to concerts.

Chad Mummert – Director of Business Development

Chad has over 15 years experience in Sales, Marketing, and Advertising with degrees in Audio Engineering and Advertising. Chad’s main focus and passion for 8+ years has been Branding and Online Marketing. His broad range of capabilities brings diversity to our team with skill-sets in Audio Production, Video Production, Graphic Design, SEO, PPC and Social Media. Chad has consulted hundreds of businesses in nearly every market vertical and is focused on a positive customer impact for his clients.

When Chad isn’t obsessing over new market trends he is most likely writing and recording music. A Multi-Instrumentalist since the age of 6 years old, he attributes his creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to his life long dedication of exploring musical boundaries. He also loves skiing, mountain biking, hiking, riding his ATV and pretty much anything else the mountains of Pennsylvania has to offer.

Kristopher Jones – Founder/CEO

Kris is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, best-selling author, accomplished public speaker and dedicated philanthropist. In 1999, Kris founded Pepperjam, a full-service internet marketing agency and affiliate network which was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America three times before being sold to eBay Enterprise in 2009.

After the sale of Pepperjam, Kris founded KBJ Capital, an early stage technology angel investment fund which has raised over $35 million of funding and has a robust portfolio of 15 companies including French Girls App, LSEO.com, Yumm.com, LavCup, APPEK Mobile Apps, VigLink, Pathmapp, Highlighter.com, ReferLocal.com and more. Author of the best-selling book “Search-Engine Optimization: Your Visual Blueprint to Effective Internet Marketing”, Kris’ articles regularly appear in premium publications like Forbes, Inc. and Fast Company.

He is also a frequent keynote speaker at prestigious conferences and universities worldwide in addition to sitting on the boards of several non-profit and educational organizations. Learn more about Kris at www.krisjones.com

Chris Nash – President

Chris Nash is an Internet and SEO marketing expert, e-commerce veteran, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of digital, web, and sales experience. He co-founded the second largest retail and e-commerce dancewear company, AllAboutDance.com, in 1999, acquired a major competitor in 2008, and sold the business in 2010 to the world’s largest online discount dance wear retailer.

Chris is currently utilizing his proven experience in digital marketing, SEO, and e-commerce across a variety of internet based companies. His experience has also drawn him toward professional photography where he has often focused on dance, movement and the performing arts. As a graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, Chris brings an international perspective to his work having literally worked and traveled around the world through the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship on a global technology research project.

Chris has co-founded or invested in a number of start-ups and other businesses including MaxxBench.com – an innovative fitness equipment company that is changing the way we work out, and AutomateAds.com – a software driven company that automates, optimizes, and unifies cross-channel digital advertising.

Chris joins LSEO.com as President and is excited to bring his decades of experience to one of the fastest growing SEO and digital marketing agencies on the planet. It’s a digital match made in heaven.

Hector De Los Santos – SEO Specialist

Kris is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, best-selling author, accomplished public speaker and dedicated philanthropist. In 1999, Kris founded Pepperjam, a full-service internet marketing agency and affiliate network which was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America three times before being sold to eBay Enterprise in 2009.

After the sale of Pepperjam, Kris founded KBJ Capital, an early stage technology angel investment fund which has raised over $35 million of funding and has a robust portfolio of 15 companies including French Girls App, LSEO.com, Yumm.com, LavCup, APPEK Mobile Apps, VigLink, Pathmapp, Highlighter.com, ReferLocal.com and more. Author of the best-selling book “Search-Engine Optimization: Your Visual Blueprint to Effective Internet Marketing”, Kris’ articles regularly appear in premium publications like Forbes, Inc. and Fast Company.

He is also a frequent keynote speaker at prestigious conferences and universities worldwide in addition to sitting on the boards of several non-profit and educational organizations. Learn more about Kris at www.krisjones.com/